Admittedly, I’m not a big David Bowie fan (the extent of my knowledge involves puppets and tight pants). This mosaic by Adam Myers, though, caught my eye. I liked the simplicity of the image itself, with the high-contrast in black and white.
And I LOVE the technique using layered clear plates!
An iconic scene deserves an iconic photo, and Project Azazel doesn’t disappoint. The approach to this photo with forced perspective gives it a larger feel.
Oh, and it lights up. I was totally sold at the working Batsignal.
I couldn’t decide which I liked better. I really couldn’t. The heat is on between Andrew Lee and Simon Liu with this most recent Iron Builder. I (along with many other girls my age) really find Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine easy on the eyes, so there’s a point there. But the GRID is just so stunning.
Andrew’s Wolverine:
Simon’s GRID:
I don’t envy the judges.
Perhaps there is a hint of minty-freshness? Regardless of your opinion of Shrek (or the second one…or the third one…did they make a fourth?) the sculpting on this lady dragon by gtahelper is simply lovely. The coloring’s fabulous. I want to see a scaled Donkey to go with!
The builder included a helping of adorable little donkey-dragon babies, and they’re pretty adorable,too. Check em out!
via The Living Brick
On a whim, I picked up 41002 Emma’s Karate Class. I’m so very not disappointed. I already have a particular fondness for the Friends line to start out with, so this shouldn’t be a surprise.
Anyway, this is a brief review for what is a small set. Overall, I really like the parts selection. The models are pretty simple and nothing really spectacular.
I’m not sold on the model with the screen. I get that the colors are to fit the overall scheme, but it just doesn’t work for me. Again, though, the parts. That glass is printed with that design.
I’m far more fond of the stand with the sword and display items on it. The tree’s cute, too. There are plenty of extra pieces.
Beyond this set, I picked up the polybag sets Squirrel’s Tree House and Turtle’s Little Oasis
as well. These are too adorable. I mean, look at them!
I’m far happier with the design of these little models. The parts are great (of course!) and the squirrel and turtle elicit squeals of glee for their cuteness.
All are currently available on both the LEGO Shop and Amazon.com.
and turtle
, though, since they’re marked to retire soon and make way for the next wave of pets for Heartlake City.
I’m usually not one for this style architecture in buildings (I appreciate the style—it’s just not my favorite). This build, though caught my eye. Eltsac Castle has posted this lovely Modern Modular. I like the color scheme, and the relative simplicity.
We need some more Castle up in here. So I present you with this adorable Wizard’s Shack, posted by Dubbadgrim. It’s simple, and that’s okay. I like the little building built right into the rockery and the tree. I do like these little dioramas
One of Mike‘s talents included making anything he wanted at all from anything LEGO produced. He’d find the most fabulous ways to integrated some of the strangest pieces and produce something wonderful.
Shottle was one of those things, finding a way to integrate the lid from packaging and create something fantastic!
I don’t think he ever found a piece he couldn’t use. Yes, even Galidor.
Mike Crowley passed away yesterday. He was my friend.
Mike leaves a legacy behind in the LEGO community. So many of us were blessed with his friendship and presence, and his absence due to illness in recent years has been noted. He was such a big personality with such a passionate, caring heart. This world is a little dimmer without him in it.
His activities with NELUG notwithstanding, Mike was a prolific and brilliant builder. His flickr stream is filled with such innovative uses for parts that showed such character for what he was trying achieve with anything he tried.
Beyond his building, beyond his artistic talent, Mike is, was, and always will be a friend first and foremost. In looking back, my memories aren’t always of the incredible things he built. My memories are of laughter until our sides hurt; of feather-boas and tiaras. Of a harrowing van-trip through downtown Portland accompanied by Lonely Island’s “I’m On a Boat.” My memories are of Chinese food, and the EMP. Of “confessions” at T.S. McHughs over nachos. Of late nights at LEGO fan conventions (which many attendees will tell you flat out that the brick is nice, but the friends are better).
My memories are of late night talks, of LEGO and music, movies and TV, of life and relationships. Of finding a way to make everything so bright when it should have been dark.
Mike made such an impact in my life, and the lives of others. All of us here at The Brothers Brick knew and admired him as a person and as a builder. He’ll be sorely missed.
I invite you to share your own stories and memories of Mike in the comments.
You can also read Mike’s obituary, along with details about funeral arrangements and donations, on the funeral home’s website.
Jameson Gagnepain clearly has a surplus of those ever-so-useful LEGO game dice. He’s put them to good use for his entry into the Like a Boss contest, resulting in this fabulous display of impossible Tetris:
For an added touch, he’s done a stop-motion version complete with the frustrating anticipation of not getting the particular shape that you need:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jameson42/8255394561/
Not content with the barrage of carols, mistletoe and evergreens, Simon Liu presents a visual guide to an alternate version of Jingle Bells. Made possible by the dynamic duo themselves and a familiar cast of characters and bright colors.
You can see each of the lyrics on their own. And for those that would like to see it in person, it’s on display at the LEGO Store in Toronto for the month of December!
Many are familiar with the tale of the Pied Piper, the unpaid man with the magical flute by which he deprived a town of their children after they attempted to thank him for public service rather than pay him his due.
Cyrille (TheBrickAvenger) has illustrated the first bit of this tale quite exquisitely. There are a lot of little details I like here, with tiles as part of the stone walls and Tyler‘s roof design. I like how the eye is drawn to the center, too, with the Pied Piper and his rats behind him.
